Contemporary clinical research demonstrates the proclivity of probiotics and healthy gut flora to protect the human gastrointestinal tract against issues such as inflammatory bowel disease, leaky gut, and even colorectal cancer. Moreover, probiotics act as a barrier against common pathogens, they enhance immune system defense, they play a crucial role in endocrine signaling and even regulate body mass.^[1],[2],[3]

It would be ridiculous to claim that we know everything about how microbes benefit us humans, but it’s safe to say that we are rapidly advancing in our understanding of how they impact our gut health.

Curious how these tiny lifeforms work to benefit you?

Read on to learn all about how the probiotics function and the research supporting their health and longevity benefits.

Science behind Probiotics

Not all probiotics are made equal. In fact, many modern probiotic supplements contain bacteria and microbial species that are not effective for humans. Most companies use bacterial strains that don’t even readily survive the highly acidic environments of your stomach, rendering the usefulness of their probiotic products negligible.

It is important to get the right strains.

LactoSpore^® (Patented Bacillus coagulans)

LactoSpore^® is a unique, patented strain of Bacillus coagulans (known as MTCC 5856). This strain of Bacillus coagulans is exceptionally able to survive in the acidic environment of the stomach. This strain of Bacillus coagulans forms spores, which when activated by the acidic environment of the stomach, can germinate and multiply in the intestines, produce the favorable L(+) form of lactic acid and effectively inhibit the growth of pathogens.

Bacillus coagulans has been shown to improve digestive tract health, specifically aiding those with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). In fact, a clinical trial in subjects with highly debilitating IBS showed that LactoSpore^® use improved quality of life scores by 20% and reduced the frequency of bloating symptoms an astounding 30-fold compared to placebo treatment.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus

Like the common probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus is a lactic acid bacterium that colonizes the small intestine and is an integral regulator of the human immune system. It also has an ability to aid in digestion of lactose by the synthesizing lactase, as well as creating folate and vitamin B12.

Furthermore, a clinical trial in healthy middle-aged and elderly volunteers found that Lactobacillus rhamnosus supplementation increased the relative activity level of natural killer (NK) leukocytes - which work to destroy tumor cells by as much as 147%! What’s important to note is that this anti-tumor benefit appears to reduce back to baseline after cessation of Lactobacillus rhamnosus supplementation.

In other words: You get the most benefit by using Lactobacillus rhamnosus every day!

Saccharomyces boulardii

Saccharomyces boulardii is a nonpathogenic yeast strain that, when lyophilized, readily colonizes the gut and resists bile salts (important since it needs to get past some very harsh digestion). In contrast to bacteria which comprise over 99% of human flora, yeast account for less than 1%. Nonetheless, Saccharomyces boulardii is a particularly beneficial yeast (and it is antibiotic-resistant, unlike bacteria).

Like Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Saccharomyces boulardii is one heck of an immunomodulator, with clinical findings showing it can effectively treat both acute and chronic diseases, such as:

• Antibiotic-induced diarrhea
• Traveller’s diarrhea
• Helicobacter pylori infection
• Ulcerative colitis
• Crohn’s disease
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• HIV-related diarrhea
• Various parasitic infections

But the benefits of Saccharomyces boulardii don’t stop there. Numerous studies confirm that this yeast significantly reduces inflammation in the intestines and colon of humans. It also exhibits antitoxin properties by fighting off endotoxins, such as lipopolysaccharides from E.coli and toxin A from C. difficile. In short, Saccharomyces boulardii is a yeast strain that humans stand to benefit from in a multiplicity of ways.

Feel the Difference with the right Probiotic Blend

The right blend of probiotics that encourages the growth of healthy bacteria in your GI tract so you can get the most out of your diet and lifestyle. And of course, these beneficial probiotics are only one component of the Vitality Switch formula.

By taking just one serving a day you effectively consume the microbes necessary to optimise your gut microbiome and fortify practically every system throughout your body.

REFERENCES:

^[1] Turnbaugh, P. J., & Gordon, J. I. (2009). The core gut microbiome, energy balance and obesity. The Journal of physiology, 587(17), 4153-4158.

^[2] Evans, J. M., Morris, L. S., & Marchesi, J. R. (2013). The gut microbiome: the role of a virtual organ in the endocrinology of the host. Journal of Endocrinology, 218(3), R37-R47.

^[3] Kau, A. L., Ahern, P. P., Griffin, N. W., Goodman, A. L., & Gordon, J. I. (2011). Human nutrition, the gut microbiome and the immune system. Nature, 474(7351), 327-336.

Disclaimer: The above article is merely a guide and is in no way a recommendation or a treatment protocol for any health conditions or diseases. You should always consult with a qualified health care provider before changing your supplement, training or nutritional strategy. Supplementation should not be attempted by pregnant or breastfeeding women, anyone on prescription medication or children under the age of 15 unless advised by your qualified health care provider.